It took us 77 minutes to see a pass from Gilberto through the middle to the strikers against Liverpool. It is going from bad to worse. At the beginning of the season we passed around teams on the edge of the box. Freddie to Gilberto to Vieira to Pires and back again. We are not even doing that now. The difference is now Gilberto and Fabs are so lightweight they don’t have the confidence to muscle through the middle. This is a very painful experience. It is stating the obvious but unless we get a strong centre midfielder to go alongside Silva or Fabs then Henry will be off.

I am stating the obvious here, but why do we persist with high balls up to Henry? If we are going to do high balls, then Adebayor to knock down to Henry not the other way round. All this said, Adebayor and Diaby look class but may not be ready for two seasons. Until we do something in the market we are going to suffer. Maybe a season in the Uefa Cup will bring us down to earth. What about Real Madrid? Just hope the defeat wont be too bad. Hope Reyes and Van Persie are back. A novelty to see Flamini put in a decent performance at left back.

It is time to adopt Lehmann as a bit of a Gooner legend. He is prepared to do anything for the cause. Pushing over Bolton strikers, writhing on the floor then getting up. At least he cares, what a great performance against Liverpool. He points at the opposition and keeps us entertained, susceptible to the odd howler, but we need characters in our side who like a bit of controversy. Keown v Van Nistelrooy was quality. He had a part to play in our unbeaten season by running along the line for the penalty, the actions of a player who will do anything to win. The man is a genius. What price Lehmann saving a penalty from Beckscum in the next fortnight against Real Madrid. Then charging at him and getting sent off. If Zaragoza can win 6-5 on agg theres hope for us yet.

Hope the team v Madrid is: Lehmann - Flamini (Assumes no Cole or Clichy due to injury), Toure, Senderos, Eboue - Reyes, Fabs, Gilberto, Ljungberg – RVP, Henry. With the boys trying to play through the middle again. Dennis to play in the return leg and score a brace. We can only dream at the moment!